Youngest footballers in men’s FIFA World Cup: Norman Whiteside leads list of wonderkids!

The best footballing nations around the world are always looking to infuse youthful energy into their squads. Some even show faith and bring them onto the biggest stage at the FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 itself boasted three of the 10 all-time youngest footballers to play in a World Cup. Spain’s Gavi, Australia’s Garang Kuol, and Youssoufa Moukoko of Germany were just over 18 and featured for their respective national teams in Qatar.

While pressure is hard to manage at a young age, these footballers took the challenge head-on to become the youngest FIFA World Cup players.

Youngest footballers to play in Men’s FIFA World Cup

Norman Whiteside, Northern Ireland - 17 years and 40 days

Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside is the youngest footballer to play at the FIFA World Cup. The striker was 17 years and 40 days old when he made his World Cup debut against Yugoslavia in 1982.

Norman Whiteside could not become the youngest footballer to score at the FIFA World Cup as the game ended in a goalless draw. However, the Manchester United forward was given a caution which made him the youngest player to receive a yellow card in the FIFA World Cup.

Whiteside’s career was marred by injuries and played his last international match at the age of 26. He featured in 38 international matches, scoring nine goals for Northern Ireland.

Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon - 17 years and 98 days

Cameroon’s all-time leading goal scorer Samuel Eto’o is the second youngest to make a bow in the men’s World Cup at the age of 17 years and 98 days. He made his debut in Cameroon’s 3-0 loss to Italy in the 1998 FIFA World Cup group stage match in France.

Samuel Eto’o would go on to represent Cameroon in four FIFA World Cups and scored 56 international goals in 116 internationals. He retired in 2014.

Femi Opabunmi, Nigeria - 17 years, 100 days

Femi Opabunmi was the second-highest goal-scorer in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championships which earned him a call in Nigeria’s senior national side the following year.

The Nigerian winger was 17 years and 100 days old when he made his World Cup debut against England in 2002. However, Femi Opabunmi never played for Nigeria again. He retired four years later after glaucoma left him blind in his right eye.

Salomon Olembe, Cameroon - 17 years, 184 days

Cameroon’s Salomon Olembe is fourth on the list of youngest footballers to play in the FIFA World Cup.

Olembe made his debut in Cameroon’s 1998 FIFA World Cup opener against Austria when he was 17 years and 184 days old. He was then the youngest African to feature in football’s biggest event.

However, his record lasted for just a couple of matches as his compatriot Samuel Eto’o made his debut in Cameroon’s last match at the 1998 World Cup against England a few days later.

Pele, Brazil - 17 years, 234 days

Unlike many who feature in the list of youngest footballers at the World Cup, Pele actually went on to score a goal on his World Cup debut when he was 17 years and 239 days old. It was the quarter-final match against Wales in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

Pele’s triple strike in Brazil’s 5-2 win against France in the semi-finals made him the youngest footballer to score a World Cup hat-trick. Pele created more records in the final when he scored a brace in Brazil’s 5-2 win over hosts Sweden to become the youngest player to play and score in a football World Cup final. He also became the youngest FIFA World Cup winner at the end.

Pele was part of the Brazilian teams that won the 1962 and 1970 FIFA World Cups. He retired in 1971 after scoring 77 goals in just 92 international matches.

Youngest footballer to play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup

Casey Phair, Republic of Korea - 16 years and 34 days

The Republic of Korea’s Casey Phair is the youngest footballer to play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 16 years and 26 days when she came on as a substitute against Colombia in the 2023 edition. Previously, the record was held by Nigeria's Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was eight days older when she played in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.